job-seeker contacts/advice

[GAME05]

The Astros hire a lot of computer hackers, don't they?

 

Make sure to tell your son to tell off Attanasio when he goes in for the interview. "You've reduced this team to a laughing stock all for the glorification of your massive ego!"

[CheezWizHed]

So very close, but not quite the right experience. But maybe I'll show this to my HS son. He is looking to go this direction (Computer Science) and it is always interesting to look at job options.

 

While a degree in computer science would be good he should also do hackathons and other events depending on what he is interested in.

 

A coding boot camp would also be beneficial if he hasn't had much in terms of coding experience.

 

I've looked at a couple coding boot camps, but they tend to be for younger kids (he is 15). I've introduced him to Python in a home electronics/robotics/coding course and he will probably take Java next year in PSEO. I'm mainly trying to show him and his older brother (17 - looking more at engineering) the breadth of options in the field. I was completely lost when I started out going to college....

[nate82]

I've looked at a couple coding boot camps, but they tend to be for younger kids (he is 15). I've introduced him to Python in a home electronics/robotics/coding course and he will probably take Java next year in PSEO. I'm mainly trying to show him and his older brother (17 - looking more at engineering) the breadth of options in the field. I was completely lost when I started out going to college....

 

Another idea is to get an ARDUINO or a raspberry pi if you haven't gotten one already. There are a lot of cool things you can do with both of them and even some of the basic younger kids stuff are rather fun to do. Google does have a summer camp for coding that is geared more towards high school aged people. https://buildyourfuture.withgoogle.com/programs/computer-science-summer-institute/

[Samurai Bucky]

What? No data visualization using R? What a bunch of hacks...

 

Very, very tempting. 10 years ago, I would have applied for sure.

[nate82]

What? No data visualization using R? What a bunch of hacks...

 

Very, very tempting. 10 years ago, I would have applied for sure.

 

I hate R!

 

I prefer Alteryx or Tableau over R. I will even take SAS over R.

[CheezWizHed]

I've looked at a couple coding boot camps, but they tend to be for younger kids (he is 15). I've introduced him to Python in a home electronics/robotics/coding course and he will probably take Java next year in PSEO. I'm mainly trying to show him and his older brother (17 - looking more at engineering) the breadth of options in the field. I was completely lost when I started out going to college....

 

Another idea is to get an ARDUINO or a raspberry pi if you haven't gotten one already. There are a lot of cool things you can do with both of them and even some of the basic younger kids stuff are rather fun to do. Google does have a summer camp for coding that is geared more towards high school aged people. https://buildyourfuture.withgoogle.com/programs/computer-science-summer-institute/

 

Thanks for the Google idea. I've not seen that one. We do have a Pi - part of the electronics/python course they did. He generally runs Minecraft on it...

[nodakfan17]

Kudos to those of you helping your kids learn to code.

 

I’ve been learning Python on DataCamp since last Fall and wish I hadn’t waited until my mid-30s to learn. My high school offered C++ classes many years ago, but I thought they were just for computer nerds. I failed to see the vast potential of data science, automation, and AI and will probably be playing catch up my whole life to ensure my skill set stays relevant.

[owbc]

Kudos to those of you helping your kids learn to code.

 

I’ve been learning Python on DataCamp since last Fall and wish I hadn’t waited until my mid-30s to learn. My high school offered C++ classes many years ago, but I thought they were just for computer nerds. I failed to see the vast potential of data science, automation, and AI and will probably be playing catch up my whole life to ensure my skill set stays relevant.

 

The good news is that:

(1) All the coding I did 5 years ago is no longer relevant.

(2) Every day people come up with tools that make it easier and easier to code.

 

For AI/ML in particular it's more important to have the linear algebra and stats background. Coding a ML algorithm is so easy that you can learn in a couple of hours.

 

I second the Raspberry Pi suggestion.

[CheezWizHed]

People still do hire COBOL programmers... (a language that was stopped being used on new products in the 80s)

 

Python is a good general purpose language. Anyone using a computer daily should probably learn a little bit - even just to understand it. But you might be surprised how you can automate stuff.

 

I'd say coding a ML algorithm can be rather tricky...training one is much easier. I've never done either myself, but have told my kids that AI/ML/CV are huge and growing fields and I'd probably go that direction if I were in college. Going to tour a factory with a friend of mine that does factory automation and Computer Vision. Very cool stuff.

[owbc]

I'd say coding a ML algorithm can be rather tricky...training one is much easier. I've never done either myself, but have told my kids that AI/ML/CV are huge and growing fields and I'd probably go that direction if I were in college. Going to tour a factory with a friend of mine that does factory automation and Computer Vision. Very cool stuff.

 

Yes, my bad, that's what I meant, writing the code to train an ML algorithm

[igor67]

I like to recommend quantum computing for those who are really trying to be forward looking. The programming and coding is going to be just different enough I suspect there will be good opportunities for those who get into it early.

[CheezWizHed]

I like to recommend quantum computing for those who are really trying to be forward looking. The programming and coding is going to be just different enough I suspect there will be good opportunities for those who get into it early.

 

Goodbye binary! Hello tertiary or quaternary! One of my engineering professors told us that the person that could invent a computer that ran on more than two states would be very rich!

[Baldkin]

I like to recommend quantum computing for those who are really trying to be forward looking. The programming and coding is going to be just different enough I suspect there will be good opportunities for those who get into it early.

 

Goodbye binary! Hello tertiary or quaternary! One of my engineering professors told us that the person that could invent a computer that ran on more than two states would be very rich!

 

I visited the four corners with my cel phone, does that count?

[CheezWizHed]

I like to recommend quantum computing for those who are really trying to be forward looking. The programming and coding is going to be just different enough I suspect there will be good opportunities for those who get into it early.

 

Goodbye binary! Hello tertiary or quaternary! One of my engineering professors told us that the person that could invent a computer that ran on more than two states would be very rich!

 

I visited the four corners with my cel phone, does that count?

 

Did it make you rich? No...probably not.

[Marc Newfield of Dreams]

Has anyone used a resume writing service, and if so, was it worth it?

 

It's almost like admitting defeat for me... I've been in recruitment for 10 years. I know a good resume when I see it, and I thought mine was. But I'm getting passed over for roles I'm qualified for, and I'm thinking it might be that my resume doesn't adequately show the scope and depth of my experience. Maybe I need a fresh set of eyes.

 

Also, anyone looking to hire a TA Manager who is sick of dealing with recruiting technical talent in this market?

[nodakfan17]

I’d be interested in hearing about experiences with resume writing services. I’m not actively looking, but am considering looking. I’ve been with the same company for 10 years, so my resume skills are rusty.

[MrTPlush]

There can't possibly be a way paying for a resume writing service will be superior to yourself/google/youtube can do for free.

[Jimbo]

I had a resume and cover letter professionally done in 1999 and still use it. I feel it was a good investment.

[jerichoholicninja]

There can't possibly be a way paying for a resume writing service will be superior to yourself/google/youtube can do for free.

 

If the writer knows how to trick a computer into sorting your resume to the top of the pile it's probably worth it.

[GAME05]

I used to be an editor and there's certainly a lot that'll get missed or could use improvement in a resume and cover letter. Plus as a former proofreader, the more you read something the harder it gets to spot the mistake(s). Although I can't speak specifically on the quality of a service. Or if you're so willing, maybe you could delete some of the identifying information and post it here?

 

There was a point I had three different resumes depending on the job I was applying to. I also liked using the description in the job posting and using those same words in my resume.

[CheezWizHed]

I would say you need to know yourself. If you grammer good, then maybe hire someone. .

 

But that probably isn't why you are missing any call-backs on jobs either. A couple thoughts:

1) Call the HR department of the company of one job you missed and ask. Just tell them you are looking for feedback. Sometimes you resume just came in late or got "lost" in the system - not all recruiters are good.

2) Write a resume and cover letter for each job. That takes some time and effort, but I can normally tell as a hiring manager when someone looked at my company and figured out what we do, then wrote their resume. When I get two resumes and one is specific to our company and the other has a purpose statement like, "I want a job in engineering", I'll take the specific one every. single. time.

3) Knock on the door. I had one guy show up one day with his resume. I was called by the front desk to come meet the guy. Ultimately, it was a terrible idea to hire the guy (for other reasons), but he got a "free" 5 min discussion with me and made a good first impression. Kind of odd this day and age and some companies might not like it. But you can probably always apologize you're way out if they don't like your initiative.

 

BTW, if there are any embedded software engineers out there looking for a job, please let me know. I'm hiring.

[owbc]

So, I'm doing a serious job search for the first time in a while and have gotten to the early interview process at a few positions at the same time. I just want to vent about how time consuming/mentally exhausting it is...hour after hour of interviews that I have to be on my A-game for, one place has me doing a coding homework assignment that is taking forever, studying for technical interviews, plus I'm up for promotion at my current job which requires preparing additional presentations and materials...and then there's my actual 40 hour/week job which I am still doing. Of course ideally I would like to time this so that I have multiple offers on the table at the same time, but everything is moving at different speeds.

 

Also, all three of these jobs are in different cities, two are fully remote, one they would prefer to have me at the office 5 days/week but of course nobody wants to do that anymore so I need to negotiate work from home days. It honestly feels kind of creepy that a company would want me in the office 5 days/week...it's a tech job, I'm going to be more productive if you just let me work where I want to...

 

/vent

[nodakfan17]

I’ve been with the same company for 10 years and only interviewed outside the company once during that time. The homework assignment caught me by surprise. I actually declined the second interview.

[OldHeidelberg]

So, I'm doing a serious job search for the first time in a while and have gotten to the early interview process at a few positions at the same time. I just want to vent about how time consuming/mentally exhausting it is...hour after hour of interviews that I have to be on my A-game for, one place has me doing a coding homework assignment that is taking forever, studying for technical interviews, plus I'm up for promotion at my current job which requires preparing additional presentations and materials...and then there's my actual 40 hour/week job which I am still doing. Of course ideally I would like to time this so that I have multiple offers on the table at the same time, but everything is moving at different speeds.

 

Also, all three of these jobs are in different cities, two are fully remote, one they would prefer to have me at the office 5 days/week but of course nobody wants to do that anymore so I need to negotiate work from home days. It honestly feels kind of creepy that a company would want me in the office 5 days/week...it's a tech job, I'm going to be more productive if you just let me work where I want to...

 

/vent

 

Things have definitely changed on the remote work side, companies still fighting it are losing out on top talent. I had gotten myself to full time remote then took some time off but went back to same company, new manager insisted I come in at least a couple of days a week and had a real problem with remote workers. Then Covid came and they found productivity increased with workers at home so now we are fully hybrid and no one is required to come in except new hires in entry positions.

 

Interviews are exhausting, they don't really stress me out any more but I went through a process late last year and had 4 separate interviews, it got sort of annoying in the end. Then I turned it down because of the remote work thing, that is tough to let go of. It literally turns what used to be a 10 hour work day(commute, getting up, getting ready etc) into 8 hours. Not to mention I can just take a nap over lunch break if tired which gets rid of the lazy food coma afternoons I have had most of my life in the office.

[logan82]

I did a phone interview and proctored test for a company. They wanted everyone in the office 100% of the time. I asked specifically about bad weather and they said the weather is never that bad you can't make it into the office. Huge red flag to me. At the very least you should allow people to work from home in the winter when the roads are sketchy. Their reasoning was it is easier to collaborate in person than virtually. I agree to a point but don't think 100% is the way to go. I can't really think of any IT job that you need to be in the office 100% unless you are doing hardware installation.

 

I find the video interviews a lot less stressful. I think I even went without pants on one. I say think because I know I seriously considered it and my dress pants do not fit well anymore but do not remember what I decided.

 

Interviews are exhausting, they don't really stress me out any more but I went through a process late last year and had 4 separate interviews, it got sort of annoying in the end. Then I turned it down because of the remote work thing, that is tough to let go of. It literally turns what used to be a 10 hour work day(commute, getting up, getting ready etc) into 8 hours. Not to mention I can just take a nap over lunch break if tired which gets rid of the lazy food coma afternoons I have had most of my life in the office.

I literally cut my miles driven by 66% in 2020. Easily saved 8 hours a week just in commute time. It is crazy to think I had that much time sunk into just driving every week.